Health

Cut cantaloupe is displayed for sale at a supermarket in Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, U.S. and Canadian officials reported additional deaths in a salmonella outbreak tied to tainted cantaloupe. (AP Photo/Jonathan Poet)

Tainted cantaloupe death toll rises to 5 in Canada, 8 overall

15 cases related to salmonella outbreak in B.C., more than 300 affected across North America

Cut cantaloupe is displayed for sale at a supermarket in Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, U.S. and Canadian officials reported additional deaths in a salmonella outbreak tied to tainted cantaloupe. (AP Photo/Jonathan Poet)
Movember was originally launched in Australia and has since become a worldwide movement to help men’s health issues. (File contributed/ Benjamin Wilson, spangdahlem.af.mil)

‘Mustaches and mental health’ Movember wraps up around Greater Victoria

217,0000 men in Canada have been diagnosed with prostate cancer

Movember was originally launched in Australia and has since become a worldwide movement to help men’s health issues. (File contributed/ Benjamin Wilson, spangdahlem.af.mil)
A nurse holds defective breast implants in Nice, southern France, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. In Canada, the House of Commons health committee is echoing long-standing calls from plastic surgeons and patient advocates for a national breast implant registry to prevent illness and problems linked to the medical devices. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lionel Cironneau

Canada urged to create national breast implant registry

House of Commons committee recommends move to protect people when health issues arise

A nurse holds defective breast implants in Nice, southern France, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. In Canada, the House of Commons health committee is echoing long-standing calls from plastic surgeons and patient advocates for a national breast implant registry to prevent illness and problems linked to the medical devices. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Lionel Cironneau
4-year-old Ciaro from West Kelowna is battling a brain tumour. (GoFundMe)

West Kelowna boy battling brain tumour

A GoFundMe has been set up for Ciaro and his grandma

  • Nov 23, 2023
4-year-old Ciaro from West Kelowna is battling a brain tumour. (GoFundMe)
FILE - This microscope photo provided on Oct. 25, 2023, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows crescent-shaped red blood cells from a sickle cell disease patient in 1972. Britain’s medicines regulator has authorized the world’s first gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease, in a move that could offer relief to thousands of people with the crippling disease in the U.K. In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said it approved Casgevy, the first medicine licensed using the gene editing tool CRISPR, which won its makers a Nobel prize in 2020. (Dr. F. Gilbert/CDC via AP, File )

UK 1st country to approve gene therapy treatment for sickle cell, thalassemia

Country has approved Casgevy, the first medicine licensed using the gene editing tool CRISPR

FILE - This microscope photo provided on Oct. 25, 2023, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows crescent-shaped red blood cells from a sickle cell disease patient in 1972. Britain’s medicines regulator has authorized the world’s first gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease, in a move that could offer relief to thousands of people with the crippling disease in the U.K. In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said it approved Casgevy, the first medicine licensed using the gene editing tool CRISPR, which won its makers a Nobel prize in 2020. (Dr. F. Gilbert/CDC via AP, File )
Linda Riches, shown in this handout image, tried at least 12 different antidepressants before one worked for her, but she says genetic testing that is publicly funded could help alleviate that type of trial-and-error process so people don’t have to keep struggling while trying so many medications that don’t work for them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Free genetic testing could save country near $1B, UBC study suggests

Matching Canadians with right anti-depressants through pharmacogenomic testing could also save lives

Linda Riches, shown in this handout image, tried at least 12 different antidepressants before one worked for her, but she says genetic testing that is publicly funded could help alleviate that type of trial-and-error process so people don’t have to keep struggling while trying so many medications that don’t work for them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
Health spending in Canada is on track to reach $344 billion in 2023, new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information says. A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canada’s health spending growth ‘modest,’ remains below pre-pandemic levels

The spending works out to about $8,740 per person: report

Health spending in Canada is on track to reach $344 billion in 2023, new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information says. A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Doctors say it’s important to get the updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine, which offers protection against the XBB.1.5 subvariant driving a current rise in cases. A pharmacist prepares to administer a Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP

Doctors say we need the new COVID shot. So why haven’t we heard more about it?

B.C. taking more proactive approach than other provinces with notification system

Doctors say it’s important to get the updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine, which offers protection against the XBB.1.5 subvariant driving a current rise in cases. A pharmacist prepares to administer a Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP
In Oct. 2022, the Federal Drug Administration in the United States announced a shortage of Adderall, but (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. not facing an immediate shortage of ADHD drugs

Start of ADHD drug shortage in the United States dates back to Oct. 2022

In Oct. 2022, the Federal Drug Administration in the United States announced a shortage of Adderall, but (Black Press Media file photo)
The BC Cancer Foundation has launched a $15-million fundraising campaign to fully fund the purchase and renovation of 2340 Richmond Rd. in Victoria. (BC Cancer Foundation photo)

BC Cancer Foundation raising $15M to buy and renovate Victoria building

Campaign kicks off with two massive donations

The BC Cancer Foundation has launched a $15-million fundraising campaign to fully fund the purchase and renovation of 2340 Richmond Rd. in Victoria. (BC Cancer Foundation photo)
A Florida Department of Health employee processes a urine sample on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. In B.C., residents in eight communities have the option of ordering their own lab requisitions for STI tests, instead of having to wait for a doctor’s appointment. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

B.C. online STI testing service seeing 3,000 people a month

Get Checked Online allows people to order their own lab requisitions, instead of waiting on a doctor

A Florida Department of Health employee processes a urine sample on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. In B.C., residents in eight communities have the option of ordering their own lab requisitions for STI tests, instead of having to wait for a doctor’s appointment. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Lindsay Sutherland Boal, seen in an undated handout photo, says a new national guideline for family doctors to screen patients for high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder is important because people who are struggling to control their drinking, like she once did, need to know they won’t be judged and can get help. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lindsay Sutherland Boal

Canadians and their doctors need to have better talks about alcohol

Patients and practitioners lacking the information that could lead to better health

Lindsay Sutherland Boal, seen in an undated handout photo, says a new national guideline for family doctors to screen patients for high-risk drinking and alcohol use disorder is important because people who are struggling to control their drinking, like she once did, need to know they won’t be judged and can get help. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lindsay Sutherland Boal
Jeff Reading has won an Order of Canada medal for his services toward Indigenous health. He has worked with different Indigenous groups around the world. (Courtesy Simon Fraser University)

UVic emeritus professor awarded Order of Canada

Jeff Reading founded the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research at UVic

Jeff Reading has won an Order of Canada medal for his services toward Indigenous health. He has worked with different Indigenous groups around the world. (Courtesy Simon Fraser University)
Medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson comments during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 8, 2015. The British Columbia health expert says the province needs more overdose prevention sites and a renewed commitment to decriminalization to try to curb drug overdoses that kill six people a day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pandemic isolation fed Vancouver Island’s toxic drug crisis: health officer

‘After 5 years of telling people not to use alone, we told a population not to be with each other’

Medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson comments during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 8, 2015. The British Columbia health expert says the province needs more overdose prevention sites and a renewed commitment to decriminalization to try to curb drug overdoses that kill six people a day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Amanda Hintzen is shown in a handout photo. Hintzen’s alcohol addiction became so severe that she sought help from a family doctor, only to be given medications for related symptoms without treatment to address the severity of the alcoholism. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Doctors urged to screen for alcoholism before prescribing antidepressants

Report says high-risk drinking knowledge lacking in many treatment plans

Amanda Hintzen is shown in a handout photo. Hintzen’s alcohol addiction became so severe that she sought help from a family doctor, only to be given medications for related symptoms without treatment to address the severity of the alcoholism. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
Members of the P.E.I. Health Coalition, P.E.I. Federation of Labour, Canadian Health Coalition, and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions demonstrate outside the health ministers' meeting in Charlottetown on Thursday, Oct.12, 2023. They are calling for universal pharmacare and to stop legislative moves that would allow the privatization of health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Brady McCloskey mandatory credit

Health ministers wrap up P.E.I. meetings with a plan to grow the health workforce

The plan involves making it easier for physicians and nurses to work in different Canadian jurisdictions

Members of the P.E.I. Health Coalition, P.E.I. Federation of Labour, Canadian Health Coalition, and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions demonstrate outside the health ministers' meeting in Charlottetown on Thursday, Oct.12, 2023. They are calling for universal pharmacare and to stop legislative moves that would allow the privatization of health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Brady McCloskey mandatory credit
Newly appointed Health Minister Mark Holland says accountability for new federal health funding will largely come from Canadians themselves. Holland smiles as he makes his way to a cabinet shuffle, in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C., feds sign $1.2B agreement for healthcare improvements

It’s part of Canada’s plan for $200B over 10 years for provinces, territories

Newly appointed Health Minister Mark Holland says accountability for new federal health funding will largely come from Canadians themselves. Holland smiles as he makes his way to a cabinet shuffle, in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
B.C. health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will be speaking today on recommendations both for citizens’ daily lives and the health-care system. Adobe stock

New masking rules for B.C. to be revealed today

Province expects ‘enhanced masking’ in health-care settings, health minister says

B.C. health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will be speaking today on recommendations both for citizens’ daily lives and the health-care system. Adobe stock
British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Physician assistants could be coming soon to B.C. emergency rooms

College of Physicians and Surgeons change coming to allow PAs to work under physician direction

British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C.’s seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie is critical of the current funding model for long-term care beds in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

Long-term care rewards those not spending on care: B.C. seniors advocate

Isobel Mackenzie calls for fundamental reform of long-term care funding system

B.C.’s seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie is critical of the current funding model for long-term care beds in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)